Outcomes of a Meeting of Senior Finance Ministry Officials to Discuss Decision-making for WASH Clarissa Brocklehurst

2 Held on March 5, 2013 Hosted by the Global Research Institute and the Water Institute of the University of North Carolina Participants from Uganda, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Gambia and South Sudan Observers from SWA Secretariat “Chatham House Rules” observed Supported financially by UNC, DGIS (via UNICEF), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Details of the Meeting y Officials to Discuss Decision-making for WASH

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Main Findings

5 Process of Briefing a Finance Minister Complex process Frustration with “flat” briefings from technocrats Staff need modular briefing materials that can be tailored to Minister’s interests and concerns On-going, supportive relationship will mean staff know where to get relevant information rapidly

6 Role of Finance Ministers in shaping WASH investments Finance Ministers consider themselves stewards of scarce resources They want value for money They are driven to grow the economy – so want to know how WASH will contribute Need to know not only that WASH is a good investment, but which kinds of WASH investments constitute value for money Are interested in links to other sectors

7 Perceptions of the WASH Sector Some perceived weaknesses: Fragmentation – multiple ministries involved Lack of data Weak absorptive capacity Poor record of sustainability Finance Ministries want to see multiple ministries engaged to ensure cohesion Finance Ministers are frustrated by WASH Sector inability to demonstrate and track progress

8 High Level Meeting HLM linked to World Bank Spring Meetings works well Finance Ministers want the HLM to be a learning opportunity Other formats also worth exploring: AU-convened meeting for African countries, with multiple ministries (finance, water, health) University-hosted meeting in US after the Spring Meetings (example of health meeting at Harvard)

Recommendations for Sanitation and Water for All

10 Start early and maintain an on-going, multi- Ministry, multi-stakeholder dialogue Be ready to provide modular briefing materials, data and other information on short notice to respond to windows of opportunity Make a strong case for WASH as a contributor to economic growth and a sound, value-for-money investment Consider new formats for high-level meetings, but don’t completely abandon the World Bank Spring Meeting tie-in Make HLMs informative and educational for Finance Ministers (themes, keynote speakers, etc.)

11 Work to overcome the perceived weaknesses of WASH Improve M&E Include M&E and capacity building in investment plans to increase data availability and credibility – document delivery and sustainability Reduce fragmentation through inter-ministerial collaboration Address sustainability Increase absorptive capacity Build linkages with other parts of water sector (water for production, agriculture)